The Middle Childhood teaching license is designed for grades 4-9. Students choose two concentration areas from reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Upon completion of all program requirements, students are eligible for licensure in the selected subject areas, plus reading. In addition to content coursework and a substantial amount of field experiences, the program includes intensive pedagogy courses that prepare students to understand the unique social, physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of the young adolescent; these courses are taken as a cohort. Student teaching occurs during the final semester of the program.

The Ohio Department of Education has defined the Middle Childhood teaching license for grades four through nine. Students who choose this major will be required to select two concentration areas from reading and language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Upon completion, they will be licensed to teach in those two subject areas.

While it is possible to complete the B.S.E. in middle childhood education in four years by taking 16-18 credits each semester, it is more probable that 4.5 years will be needed for certain combinations of concentrations.

Mathematics Concentration - The content coursework in the mathematics concentration includes classes in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry and statistics.

Science Concentration - The content area coursework in the science concentration includes diverse classes in chemistry, biology, geology, and physics.

Social Studies Concentration - The content area coursework in the social studies concentration includes diverse classes in economics, history, political science, geography, and anthropology.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and secondary school teachers, except special education, held about 4.0 million jobs in 2006. Of the teachers in those jobs, about 1.5 million are elementary school teachers, 1.1 million are secondary school teachers, 674,000 are middle school teachers, 437,000 are preschool teachers, and 170,000 are kindergarten teachers. The vast majority work in elementary and secondary schools. Preschool teachers, except special education, are most often employed in child daycare services (59 percent), public and private educational services (16 percent), and religious organizations (15 percent). Employment of teachers is geographically distributed much the same as the population.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:

Students admitted to the College of Education, Health, and Human Services as freshmen must have been fully admitted to the university. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program and Community Health, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.75 high school GPA and 16 units of college preparatory curriculum or a 21 ACT or 980 SAT score. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll as pre-majors for selected programs or EHHS General until which time they have the required 2.75 GPA.

Students seeking admission to this program must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study. To be admitted to the program, students must display evidence of adequate communication skills; sound content area knowledge (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies); a basic understanding of the teaching profession; a basic understanding of adolescents; and dispositions aligned with the conceptual framework of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, including being open-minded, flexible, caring and responsible. Faculty will select the most qualified applicants based on an interview; letters of recommendation; GPA; Praxis I scores; and performance in English and communication studies coursework. Applicants to the ADED program must have experience working with young adults in a supervisory capacity, such as tutoring, camp counseling, volunteer work or related experience. Students should contact the College of Education, Health, and Human Services’ Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall, during the first year of study to inquire about the procedures and criteria associated with admission to the adolescence/young adult education program.

GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum 128 credit hours. Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA. A minimum grade of C (2.0) grade is required in some courses; view the program requirements to see specific courses.

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